Around 50 Rohingya refugees detained in Yangon’s Dawbon Township

Approximately 50 Rohingya refugees, including young people and teachers displaced by conflict in Rakhine State, were detained in Yangon’s Dawbon Township on May 2 following a joint operation involving local administrative officials, police, and members associated with the nationalist group Ma Ba Tha, according to residents and eyewitness accounts.

The arrests took place around 5:00 p.m. in Nwe Aye Ward, where Rohingya families from Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships had reportedly been sheltering after fleeing ongoing violence.

Residents said local authorities conducted inspections at residential buildings on Naga Ni 2 Street before summoning individuals linked to Ma Ba Tha. Witnesses allege that shortly after their arrival, Rohingya occupants were accused of being “Bengalis,” a term widely regarded as pejorative and used to deny their identity, before police were called to carry out arrests.

“The administrator and local ward officials entered the building where displaced children and youths were staying. During the inspection, additional actors were called in, and soon after, police detained them,” one resident told local media.

Sources indicate that those detained included around 40 young refugees and approximately 10 teachers who had been providing informal education support to displaced Rohingya children. Many of those arrested were reported to have fled recent fighting in Buthidaung and Maungdaw.

Witnesses further stated that some detainees possessed identification documents at the time of inspection. However, authorities reportedly proceeded with the arrests and transferred the group to a local police station in Dawbon Township for questioning.

Interrogations reportedly continued until around 9:00 p.m. the same day. As of the latest information available, residents say those detained have not been released, though no official charges or statements have been publicly disclosed by authorities.

Rising Concerns Over Targeting and Protection

The incident has raised concerns among community members and observers about the treatment of internally displaced persons and refugees in urban areas of Myanmar.

Analysts note that during periods of conflict-induced displacement, vulnerable populations—including ethnic and religious minorities—face heightened risks of detention, discrimination, and identity-based targeting.

Members of the Rohingya community in Yangon have expressed alarm over what they describe as a pattern of selective targeting. One community member warned that such incidents could exacerbate tensions at a time when multiple ethnic groups are already fleeing conflict zones across the country.

Observers stress the importance of ensuring that law enforcement actions adhere to principles of non-discrimination, due process, and civilian protection, particularly in the context of ongoing instability.

At the time of reporting, authorities had not issued an official response regarding the arrests or the legal status of those detained.